CHR will oust own official

MANILA, Philippines–The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will work with the Office of the Ombudsman in carrying out the dismissal of one of its commissioners.

CHR information and media division chief Marc Titus Cebreros said the agency was duty-bound to implement the decision to fire Cecilia Rachel Quisumbing as a result of charges filed by the Ombudsman.

“The CHR leadership is actively coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman toward the implementation of its ruling,” Cebreros said in an interview.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales had ordered Quisumbing charged in the Sandiganbayan with graft, direct bribery and violation of Republic Act No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

This after the Ombudsman found that Quisumbing had allegedly solicited and taken money from her staff through their salaries.

Dismissal from the government service is the penalty for the administrative offense of grave misconduct, which carries the accessory punishments of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Former members of Quisumbing’s staff had filed complaints against her in September 2013.

Sought for comment, Quisumbing said she would be “taking the appropriate legal action in accordance with procedure.”

“It’s a shame the false complaint by disgruntled terminated staff has been given any credence. Still, this is precisely why our legal process allows for appeals and reconsideration – to allow for further consideration of facts and law in a case,” she said in an e-mail to the Inquirer.

Cebreros said the CHR was still duty-bound to implement the order even if an appeal were filed.

“Under Ombudsman rules, the filing of an appeal will not stay implementation of the ruling, not unless there is a court-issued injunction,” he said.